Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar 38 mm

To say that the complication of the perpetual calendar is once again of great importance to Audemars Piguet, especially in the context of Royal Oak, would be an understatement. Earlier this year, as part of its 150th anniversary, the Le Brassu brand released two important new models based on an unprecedented movement (Caliber 7138): a new generation of 41mm Royal Oak watches with automatic winding and perpetual calendar and an updated 41mm Code 11.59 watch with automatic winding and perpetual calendar. Now it’s time to introduce this complication in a smaller version of Royal for the first time: the brand is launching the first ever ROQP mechanism with a diameter of 38 mm. In addition, a new, compact Code 11.59 engine has been added to complement the collection.

After the release of the Royal Oak Jumbo 16202ST with the new, ultra-thin 7121 manufacture caliber, Audemars Piguet also updated its perpetual calendar automatic movement using the same base. For many years, most of the brand’s QP watches, including the RO, were based on the 2120 Calibre, an ultra—thin movement once created and manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre. AP’s new generation of QP watches is now based on the state-of-the-art 7121 Calibre, now called the 7138 Calibre with a frequency of 4 Hz, an extended power reserve of 55 hours, a fast date change function, and boasts a number of innovations pioneered by the Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin (also known as RD#2). and, above all, the one-piece crown and the absence of correctors mounted in the case.

This mechanism (and another with several modifications), first introduced in 41 mm diameter models, namely the new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 26674 and Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar 26494, is being used for the first time in smaller cases — 38 mm. It was stated to be aimed at a female audience, although many men would be interested in these more compact models.

For many years, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar was a more sophisticated Jumbo watch, having the same diameter of 39 mm and maintaining a slim profile of about 7.5—8.3 mm. It was only in 2015 that the model changed dramatically (ref. 26574), receiving a week indicator on the inner flange and a diameter of 41 mm. Released earlier this year, the new generation of the 26674 watch retains most of its features, including an increased case size.

The AP will rightly consider that there is room for something more compact. Therefore, two new versions of the Royal Oak QP with a diameter of 38 mm (ref. 26684) were presented, available in a steel case with a light blue dial or in rose gold with a beige-gold dial. The design has remained as classic as it should be, with all the elements that can be expected from Royal Oak. However, the proportions have changed: now the diameter is 38 mm and the thickness is 9.4 mm (compared to 41 x 9.5 mm). Another important difference concerns the display: now, instead of the week indicator on the periphery of the dial, only classic calendar data remains, including the moon at 6 o’clock.

This evolution of the display also implies the use of a slightly redesigned mechanism, which is now called the Calibre 7136. However, it retained the same technical base with a frequency of 4 Hz, a power reserve of 55 hours and all calendar adjustments made by the crown, including the mechanism lock protection system. Both dials are decorated with the Grande Tapisserie pattern, with gold hands and overlay markings. The price of the steel version (26684ST.OO.1356ST.01) is 104,300 euros, and the price of the gold version is (26684OR.OO.1356OR.01) is 120,000 CHF.

In the same vein as the 41mm version released earlier this year, Audemars Piguet is also releasing a 38mm version of the Code 11.59 Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar. Most of the changes affected proportions, materials, and colors, as this 38mm model retained the same 7138 caliber, including the week indication on the inner flange.

The case, made of 18K rose gold, now has a diameter of 38 mm and a thickness of 9.9 mm (41 x 10.3 mm otherwise). The watch is equipped with a large green alligator leather strap. The dial of the same color is decorated with the company’s embossed pattern, introduced in 2023, when the collection began using steel cases. All the elements of the dial, including the flange and additional dials, are made in the same color and complemented with gold hands and overlay markers. Inside the case is a 7138 caliber with a crown, a frequency of 4 Hz and a power reserve of 55 hours. The price of this version (26441OR.OO.D405CR.01) is 104,300 euros.

All three watch models are available in a limited edition of 150 copies, dedicated to the brand’s 150th anniversary. The dial has undergone minor changes, including the vintage inscription “Audemars Piguet” on the moon phase indicator and the engraving “150” on the back cover. More detailed information can be found on the website audemarspiguet.com .

Technical Specifications of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar and Code 11.59 from Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar